Sad

I think something is wrong with me.

Coke Collections II

Continuing from part 1 as I didn't want to make the post too long in one posting. My readers might get bored.

Pictured below is a set of miniature coca cola set that my wife got from the 'World Of Coca Cola' when she was at Las Vegas a few years back.

Nothing much can be said here as you can see all I have taken the picture at a closeup so you can read the label of the bottle.

World's First 60 Megapixel Camera.

Introducing the world's first medium format 60Megapixel camera the Hasselblad H4D-60. This camera is also currently the most expensive new camera (meaning its not a collectors item) as of 1st January 2010. With a price tag of about €28,995 or USD37,019. Medium format is bigger than full frame for those who don't know.

Hasselblad have been around since World Was II and is being manufactured in Sweden and  have a long history with NASA. Most if not all NASA camera in space are made by Hasselblad. The first pictures taken when man landed on the moon was taken by a Hasselblad camera where Neil Armstrong said "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind".

I do not know what to write about this camera other than the megapixel and the price because for a camera this expensive and of this caliber that is all I can afford to know, because I would rather use the money as a down payment for a house. This camera is truly for the die hard enthusiast and collector, kinda like the Jay Leno of cameras.  Would you get it if you had the money or would a more domesticated brand like Nikon or Canon be good enough for you? Get this camera if your photography is making you tons of cash. That is the only way you can justify yourself for getting such an expensive camera.

Here is a chart for you to compare the difference between full frame and medium format.

Lonsdale Quayside

On our way home from my driving lesson we decided to stop by the tourist attraction spot at North Vancouver, Lonsdale Quayside Market to have our lunch. Food there was good but a little bit pricey.

In the market place food court.

I step out of the food court and started taking shots step by step till I can see downtown Vancouver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tug Boat like those you will see on the Belait River or Kuala Baram but this unit is newer and more powerful (I think).

 

There was some plant that was flowering near by, but I do not know the name of the species.

This is the typical Saturday Afternoon. Not too much people that day as it was really windy.

NIkon Vs Canon Part IV

This post I will be focusing on two semi pro full frame D-SLR cameras, the Nikon D700 and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II. For of you who want to have the advantages of going full frame but don't want to pay the price for a full spec professional camera this two D-SLR is as close as you can get. I would have pitted the D700 with the EOS 1D Mk IV, but as good as the 1D Mk IV is, it is still not a full frame camera. *I still haven't figured out as to why Canon didn't just made is a full frame*

Today I am going to talk about Canon's 5D Mk II first. The camera was announce on September 2008 and sell for about USD2500 (body only). Not too bad considering that the next full frame in Canon's line up cost about USD6400.
Looking at its specification it has a 18 21.1megapixel full frame sensor. Pretty useful if you always print in super large size. But remember more megapixel doesn't mean better picture quality. It is also the first digital camera used for an official US Presidential portrait. And shooting video at 1080p is an added bonus in this camera.








Here are some of the specs for the 5D Mark II.                                          
Imaging Device: 21.1 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS Sensor.
Maximum Resolution: 5616x3744 pixels JPEG, RAWor sRAW.

Frames Per Second: 3.9 fps.
Lenses: Only compatible with Canon EF lenses.
LCD Size: 3 inch @ 920K pixel.
ISO Range: 100-6400 auto or 50, 12,800 & 25,600 custom.
Memory Type: CompactFlash type I & II (UDMA Compliant)
Weight: 0.811 Kg.
Dimension: 6x4.5x3 (in inches) or 15.2x11.4x7.6 (in centimeter)
Country Of Origin: Japan .

Next is the Nikon D700. Personally my favorite camera among to two and will be the D-SLR that I will be getting when my budget permits. But I will be unbiased when comparing the two models. The D700 is Nikon's second and base FX format (full frame) camera. It come with a USD3000 (body only) price tag. Only have 12.1 Megapixel when compared to the Canon 5D Mk II 21.1 Megapixel. I just want to stress again that more megapixel does not equal better photo quality. Good picture depends not only on the camera but 75% of the time it depends on the photographer's knowledge to capture the best picture in all situations.

The D700 have a very good reputation for its reliability in the field. I read somewhere before that while on an expedition to the Arctic non of the D700 broke down while its competitors didn't do so well. So now you know that the this camera is build like a tank from magnesium alloy. and fully sealed to prevent moisture and dust from entering. While the 5D is also fully sealed, the D700 is just better. The image quality is comparable with the D3 or the D3x. The only thing the D700 lacks in is its lack of video capabilities. Not that it is important to have video shooting mode, but more and more photographers are venturing into shooting video on their camera nowadays.





Here are some of the specs for the 5D Mark II.                                           
Imaging Device: 12.1 Megapixel Full Frame CMOS Sensor.
Maximum Resolution: 4256x2832 pixels JPEG, NEF (RAW)

Frames Per Second: 5 fps.
Lenses: Nikon F Mount.
LCD Size: 3 inch @ 920K pixel.
ISO Range: 200-6400 auto or 100, 12,800 & 25,600 custom.
Memory Type: CompactFlash type I & II (UDMA Compliant)
Weight: 1 Kg.
Dimension: 5.8x4.8x3 (in inches) or 14.7x12.2x7.6 (in centimeter)
Country Of Origin: Japan .


My conclusion from a consumer point of view is that the EOS 5D Mk II will provide you with more bang for your bucks. It win against the D700 in almost every aspect when it comes to price, pixels and functionality. I have tested both camera and found out the the 5D is actually more fun and you can take really decent looking pictures even on full auto. But from a Nikon die hard fan point of view, I will still go for the D700 (Personal preference)

I will make this post my last in the Nikon Vs Canon series. As I have found out, there really is no better camera. Both makers have good camera and it all comes downs to personal preference.

Great places to get all your photography needs is from Adorama or from Amazon if you are from the US or Canada. And if you are from the South East Asia, I would recommend then you pay ShaShinKi a visit. They ship on the same day and normally your item will arrive in 3-4 days.

Books That I Am Currently Reading

Few weeks ago I procured two books that I really think will help me understand my camera more. Self help is the best form of teaching you get other that a one to one session with an instructor. It keeps you motivated as well when you have your camera in one hand and the book you're reading on the other and you come across a function where you didn't know your equipment was capable of.

Being a total amateur like myself, this book is a must for those who want to get the most out of your equipment while you really don't have much experience is photography.

Canon Powershot G10/G11 - From Snapshots to Great Shots and Nikon D90 for Dummies.

I haven't got the Nikon D90 yet but I know for sure that it will be the camera that I will be getting in 3 months time. So I decided to get it. And as for the Canon's G10/G11 book, I found this book really useful and really think that Canon should have included this book as part of their user manual.

UPDATE: New Breed Of Digital Camera

I just found out the Olympus also came out with the ILC format camera in their lineup. They are called the PEN Digital lineup. There are three PEN series from Olympus E-P1, E-P2 and E-PL1 all three of them uses a 12.3 megapixel mirco 4/3 sensor. And also shoots 720p high definition (HD) video.

I did play with my friend's E-PL1 for a bit and I was impress by it. Pictures was clear and crisp. The focus was not too fast but considered ok. Too bad I forgot to save some of the photo taken with the camera to my memory card or I will have some sample photo to show you guys. And for you who must know where the camera is made, all three model are currently made in China.

E-P1.

E-P2.

E-PL1.

Hope you find this update useful. As this is only an introduction, I will keep this post short.

Great places to get all your photography needs is from Adorama or from Amazon if you are from the US or Canada. And if you are from the South East Asia, I would recommend then you pay ShaShinKi a visit. They ship on the same day and normally your item will arrive in 3-4 days.

Dandelion Clock II

This is a failed attempt to capture the dandelion seed dispersal. My wife helped me by holding the dandelion and blowing on it while I position my camera on the plant.

I actually wanted my image to look like this:

But it turned out like this instead.

I guess its either my skills just wasn't as good as I though it would be or I am just asking too much from my Canon G11. What do you people think? Do you think the G11 is fast enough to capture the image I have in mind? Let me know your thoughts.

Dandelion Clock

Today my wife and I was taking Rae out for a walk and I so happen to see some dandelion on the sidewalk. I do not recall ever seeing any dandelion when I was in Brunei. After some research on Wikipedia, I found out that it only grows in temperate regions. I remember when I was a kid, I would sometimes see cartoon or TV character playing with dandelion by blowing on them. I didn't pluck one to blow on it because I didn't want to spoil it.

Here are some closeup that took me about 10 minutes to take as I was trying out several positions and angles to get the best shots.

Hope you enjoyed this short picture post.

Happy Mother's Day

This year my wife will be celebrating her first Mother's Day and also the first time my mom back in Brunei will be celebrating hers without me. So...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! to my Mom, my Wife all to Moms all over the world.

Here's something I found from Google.

Have a good one.

My Princess

New Breed Of Digital Camera

Recently while browsing through some photography magazine I happen to come across some really interesting articles on a new breed of digital cameras that have or will be making their way into the market.

For those of you who wants a compact P&S (point and shoot) camera but wish you could have better D-SLR quality like image or maybe you just wish that you were able to have interchangeable lens on your p&s camera, your wish have been granted I will call this new breed "ILC" (Interchangeable Lens Compact). I really think this is a fantastic idea, with this, more people will be interested in photography or armatures can step up their photography a notch.

So far only two Panasonic and Samsung have come out with this new format with Sony announcing that they will also have on their line up called Sony Alpha Compact. I cannot wait till Nikon and Canon comes out with their own version of "ILC". Just imagine a compact camera that have a APS or even a full frame sensor. The photography world is going to get shaken.

As far as I know, Samsung's NX10 will be using a 14.6 megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor while Panasonic's Lumix GF1 will be using a 21.3 megapixel Micro 4/3 Live MOS sensor and the Lumix GH1 will be using a 12.1 megapixel Micro 4/3 Live MOS sensor. The competition between the manufacturer is doing to market good. We as the consumer get better product at a cheaper price. And to me, this is the best piece of technology so far for 2010.

Pictured below is the Samsung NX 10, Panasonic Lumix GF1 and GH1.

 

So what are you waiting for? Its time to decide if you want to go full D-SLR or something like "ILC".

Great places to get all your photography needs is from Adorama or from Amazon if you are from the US or Canada. And if you are from the South East Asia, I would recommend then you pay ShaShinKi a visit. They ship on the same day and normally your item will arrive in 3-4 days.

Nikon Vs Canon Part III

The Nikon's D300s is the ultimate in Nikon DX performance that is one step away from a full frame camera. D300s was launch on July 30th 2009 to replace the already solid D300 which was discontinued September 11th 2009. Like all Nikon non pro camera, the D300s is made in Thailand (Sawadee Ka). There is absolutely nothing wrong with it being made in Thailand . All the core parts are still made in Japan for this camera.

The D300s uses Nikon APS-C format sensor. It has a 12.3 megapixel DX format CMOS sensor. Shoots HD 720p, 24 fps video in AVI format. It has the new dedicated liveview and info button.
The D300s takes to memory card, one CF and one SD. (I would have preferred two CF slots) and most importantly a sensor cleaner. I wish I could write more info on the D300s, but its really difficult to write about something that I didn't get a hands on. As much as I would like to fill up my post with information, I will absolutely not copy and paste material that is from another source. So click here for a more in depth review on the specification.

If you are wondering what the "s" stands for, well it stands for 'Speed'. This baby can shoot at 7 fps, that is 7 shots in a second. Try clicking your tongue quickly and see how many times you can click it in one second. After doing that you will have an idea how fast 7 frames per second is. The Nikon D300s is selling for about USD1700.00 body only.

Here we have the Canon's EOS 7D. If we are going to compare the D300s with a Canon camera of the same caliber, then the 7D would be it. In my point of view, I really think that the 7D is much more beautiful and more fun (just like an old man looking at young girls) than the D300s. But the D300s more solid and is better build than the EOS 7D. Fortunately like all Canon high end product, the 7D is manufactured in the land of the rising sun, "JAPAN" . BANZAI!!!!! Call me old school, but when I spend more than $700 on an item, I will expect it to be manufactured in a country that has the reputation of making the best of everything. (I will talk more about this topic some other time)

The specification for the EOS 7D is as solid as any other cameras in its range. For starter, the EOS 7D uses Canon APS-C format 18 megapixel sensor that is just slightly small than the Nikon sensor. It also shoots 1080p HD video, a 100% viewfinder and dual DIGIC 4 image processor.

Canon's EOS 7D sells for about USD1750 body only. To me, this camera has more bang for your buck as it had more functions, funner and most important of all its made in Japan . What is there not to love about original Japanese product. Better quality and reputation. I know the quality control and quality assurance nowadays for Japanese factory outside of Japan is very strict and the item's quality and reliability is no difference from the one made in Japan. But like I said, its my personal preference.

Here is a comparison chart for you to see the size of the sensor. With this chart you can clearly see the advantage of having a bigger sensor. Bigger frame means more light will be capture on the sensor thus better image quality.

Great places to get all your photography needs is from Adorama or from Amazon if you are from the US or Canada. And if you are from the South East Asia, I would recommend then you pay ShaShinKi a visit. They ship on the same day and normally your item will arrive in 3-4 days.

P/S: Give me some time to find enough material to write about the Nikon D700 and Canon EOS 5D MkII.